Today is the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar, a date of terrible tragedies many times in Jewish history. What are we to learn from this reality. Here are just some of the events that happened on that date: The 10 spies returned with the evil report. The first AND second temples were destroyed. All Jews were expelled from England in 1290, and from Spain in 1492. God used the Spain timing as impetus for exploring the new world of America. Many other examples could be listed.
Today we stand with our Jewish and Israeli brothers and sisters mourning these events. We also pray for protection for Israel especially at this time. Their enemy is our enemy because we worship the same God of the Bible, Yehovah, and His Messiah. It is Satan himself who opposes Israel with the “ancient hatred.” In our day there are new enemies of Israel and Christians. Thousands of Christians are being martyred, increasing each year, simply because of their faith. In Nigeria, Sudan, North Korea, China, and other places it is getting worse. Yet, at the same time millions are coming to Messiah Yeshua all over the world. Jesus said the end days would be like the days of Noah, and we are seeing it with our own eyes.
So, what can we learn from the 9th of Av? For Jews, it is a time of fasting, repentance, and denial of normal pleasures. Zionist Christians should relate to the mourning and repentance also. But I see an additional message in the tragedies. We should each face our own failures. The destruction of both temples was related to judgement of God. He allowed the Babylonians to destroy Solomon’s temple because God’s people turned to idolatry, pagan worship, and even the sacrifice of babies on the Temple Mount. Today we abort babies by the millions simply for our “quality of life!” The 9th of Av is a call for all humanity to repent! The prophets emphasized again and again that God seeks not only outward fasting, but repentance, justice and faithfulness. Why does God not consume us in our sins? It is because of His promise and His character. He keeps His word!
“For I am Yehovah, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” Malachi 3:6
If God You would do well to read all of Malachi 3 because there is a profound point in this verse. God does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”Hebrews 13:8 The Father and the Son are unchangeable! Why is this so profound? The answer is found in Israel. They often rebelled and sinned before God, yet they exist and are prospering and being restored as a nation. We can all relate personally. We have sinned against Him, and yet He forgives us. Israel was chosen by Yehovah to reveal Himself to the world. Amazingly, He gave them an unconditional promise of permanent existence before Him.
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”Genesis 17:7-8
Notice this is an everlasting covenant and an everlasting possession of the land. This applies even though they sinned and rebelled over and over throughout history. He preserved them not because they were good, but because He is God, and He does not change! If God broke His promises to Israel, He could likewise break His promises to Christians. Our confidence and faith is not in our own goodness, but in His faithfulness. He does not change! In the end He saves us because of His own character; He keeps His promise. We are included by simply choosing to walk with Him! He paid for our sins by the blood of the Lamb.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! Pray not only that God would bless, but that His people would follow Him. (The good news is that there is a real move in Israel to rediscover relationship with God in the midst of this war. Hallelujah!)
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
Elisha Vision - Commentary 
9th of Av – Facing Failure
23 07 2026Today is the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar, a date of terrible tragedies many times in Jewish history. What are we to learn from this reality. Here are just some of the events that happened on that date: The 10 spies returned with the evil report. The first AND second temples were destroyed. All Jews were expelled from England in 1290, and from Spain in 1492. God used the Spain timing as impetus for exploring the new world of America. Many other examples could be listed.
Today we stand with our Jewish and Israeli brothers and sisters mourning these events. We also pray for protection for Israel especially at this time. Their enemy is our enemy because we worship the same God of the Bible, Yehovah, and His Messiah. It is Satan himself who opposes Israel with the “ancient hatred.” In our day there are new enemies of Israel and Christians. Thousands of Christians are being martyred, increasing each year, simply because of their faith. In Nigeria, Sudan, North Korea, China, and other places it is getting worse. Yet, at the same time millions are coming to Messiah Yeshua all over the world. Jesus said the end days would be like the days of Noah, and we are seeing it with our own eyes.
So, what can we learn from the 9th of Av? For Jews, it is a time of fasting, repentance, and denial of normal pleasures. Zionist Christians should relate to the mourning and repentance also. But I see an additional message in the tragedies. We should each face our own failures. The destruction of both temples was related to judgement of God. He allowed the Babylonians to destroy Solomon’s temple because God’s people turned to idolatry, pagan worship, and even the sacrifice of babies on the Temple Mount. Today we abort babies by the millions simply for our “quality of life!” The 9th of Av is a call for all humanity to repent! The prophets emphasized again and again that God seeks not only outward fasting, but repentance, justice and faithfulness. Why does God not consume us in our sins? It is because of His promise and His character. He keeps His word!
“For I am Yehovah, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” Malachi 3:6
If God You would do well to read all of Malachi 3 because there is a profound point in this verse. God does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 The Father and the Son are unchangeable! Why is this so profound? The answer is found in Israel. They often rebelled and sinned before God, yet they exist and are prospering and being restored as a nation. We can all relate personally. We have sinned against Him, and yet He forgives us. Israel was chosen by Yehovah to reveal Himself to the world. Amazingly, He gave them an unconditional promise of permanent existence before Him.
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:7-8
Notice this is an everlasting covenant and an everlasting possession of the land. This applies even though they sinned and rebelled over and over throughout history. He preserved them not because they were good, but because He is God, and He does not change! If God broke His promises to Israel, He could likewise break His promises to Christians. Our confidence and faith is not in our own goodness, but in His faithfulness. He does not change! In the end He saves us because of His own character; He keeps His promise. We are included by simply choosing to walk with Him! He paid for our sins by the blood of the Lamb.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! Pray not only that God would bless, but that His people would follow Him. (The good news is that there is a real move in Israel to rediscover relationship with God in the midst of this war. Hallelujah!)
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
Watch my video prophecy podcast on YouTube HERE.
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